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One of the most beautiful and rewarding places to visit in the U.S. is Washington State, and this detailed two week Washington Road Trip itinerary showcases the best of the state…
I have been spending summers in Washington for going on five years now, and let me tell you – this state is the most beautiful in the lower 48 states. That may be controversial, but after spending ten years traveling through 47 states, I feel like I can have an opinion about it.
Home to one of the best cities in the U.S. – Seattle, characterful mountain towns like Leavenworth and Winthrop, scenic islands, cute coastal villages, three world-class National Parks, the best summer weather in the country, spectacular mountains, iconic volcanoes, atmospheric temperate rainforests, one of the most scenic concert venues in the world, and even desert landscapes. Washington pretty much has it all.
Because of its incredible natural beauty and diverse scenery, Washington is the perfect state to do a road trip. You could easily spend months just in Washington, if you love the outdoors at least, but most of us don’t have that kind of time so I put together this two-week Washington Road Trip itinerary covering some of my favorite places in the state and focusing on the great outdoors.
Keep in mind that two weeks isn’t enough time to see all the highlights in the state – the whole state is one big highlight – so I picked the most iconic, can’t miss sites, with a few more off-the-beaten-path spots thrown in where I could.
I also didn’t include wonderful Seattle – my personal favorite U.S. city – in this itinerary, but I think you should add at least a couple of days there at the start or end of your trip as well.
This road trip itinerary is skewed towards adventurers and hikers who love spending time in nature, although it could definitely still be used as a guide even if you are not a hiker.
Epic Two Week Washington Road Trip
This road trip starts and ends in Seattle as that is where most people would fly into and rent a car. Adjust as needed if you are driving in from somewhere else.
Day One – Whidbey Island
First stop on your Washington Road Trip itinerary is lovely Whidbey Island! You will take the short car ferry from Mukilteo to the southern end of the island, then start driving north, visiting the pretty small towns of Langley and Coupeville, taking a walk through the Price Sculpture Forest, and exploring the beach and hiking trails at breathtakingly stunning Deception Pass State Park.
Finish your day in Anacortes on Fidalgo Island, connected by bridge to Whidbey. Check out the small historic downtown and if you still have time/energy – do a short hike to the viewpoint in Cap Sante Park. Enjoy dinner at Anthony’s at Cap Sante Marina for delicious seafood.
Where To Stay: Stay in Anacortes at luxurious Majestic Inn & Spa or elegant Nantucket Inn. Both are located downtown.
Day 2 & 3 – San Juan Islands
This part of the itinerary is a choose your own adventure! There are three main islands in the San Juan Islands that you can visit by ferry from Anacortes and you will only have time to visit one on this trip.
I have spent a few days on each and loved them all but I would probably recommend San Juan Island if you were just going to visit one, as it has the most things to do. But here is a little bit about each island to help inform your decision – you honestly can’t go wrong with any of them.
San Juan Island – The busiest island but with the most things to do, San Juan Island is a fun island where you can go whale watching by zodiac, visit a lighthouse and possibly see whales from shore at Lime Kiln State Park, enjoy the pristine beach and epic sunsets from San Juan County Park, explore the bustling town of Friday Harbor and pretty Roche Harbor, and discover the history of the island at English Camp and American Camp.
Orcas Island – Not as busy as San Juan but still a popular spot, Orcas Island is considered the prettiest by many and highlights include taking in the views from the top of Mount Constitution, eating delicious seafood at Buck Bay Oyster Farm, exploring the picturesque town of Eastsound and visiting the historical museum there, and hiking around two lakes in Moran State Park.
Lopez Island – Known as Slowpez Island, Lopez is the quietest of the three main San Juan Islands so it’s perfect if you want a peaceful and offbeat island escape. I recommend hiking the Point Colville and Iceberg Point trails, visiting Spencer Spit, Watmough Bay, and Fisherman Bay Preserve, and eating at Ursa Minor and Setsunai in the village.
Where To Stay: On San Juan Island, stay at elegant Discovery Inn or eclectic Juniper Lane Guesthouse. On Orcas Island, stay at the well-appointed Landmark Inn or at WorldMark Deer Harbor which has a pool and hot tub. On Lopez Island, stay at peaceful Edenwild Boutique Inn or comfortable Lopez Farm Cottages.
For information about San Juan Island ferries and how booking works, read this post, and here is the ferry timetable.
Day 4: North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is one of the most underrated and least visited National Parks in the U.S. and it is a crime that it doesn’t get more visitors because it is seriously beautiful.
Depending on how keen of a hiker you are and if the road is even open, I highly recommend doing one of the most beautiful day hikes in Washington if not the entire country: Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm. From Anacortes, it is just over a two-hour drive to the trailhead, with the last 50-minutes on the windy gravel Cascade River Road.
Pick up a bagel sandwich from Good Bagels Cafe in Anacortes for lunch and some hiking snacks and lunch stuff from the supermarket for tomorrow before leaving town – there aren’t any dining options inside the park.
If you do the full hike, it is around 13 miles with 4000 feet of elevation gain, but it’s so worth it. The scenery is spectacular almost from the get-go, with spectacular mountain views, wildflowers, waterfalls, and so many animals, including mountain goats, pikas, chipmunks, and marmots. I was in heaven.
The last section where you are climbing up a boulder field is the hardest but just take your time. From the top, you get an epic view of the Cascade Mountains – you can even see Mount Rainier – and the massive Sahale Glacier.
If you don’t think you have the time or energy to do the full 13-mile hike, it’s still well worth it to just hike the Cascade Pass section, which is 7-miles return.
If the road is closed or you aren’t up for driving nearly two hours return on a gravel road (fair enough), then a great alternative is the Sauk Mountain trail.
The Sauk Mountain trail is only 3.2 miles total, still has epic views and cute animals, lots of wildflowers, and it is less of a detour, although you will be driving a gravel road up a steep mountain for 30-minutes each way. This is definitely doable in a two-wheel drive but might feel a bit sketchy if you are a particularly nervous driver.
Where To Stay: Spend the night in the tiny town of Marblemount at the cozy and rustic North Cascades Inn, or stay in a dome at this glamping property with an outdoor kitchen and hot tub.
Day 5: North Cascades National Park
Today is all about sightseeing and doing some more gentle hikes in North Cascades National Park.
Start the day in Newhalem, learning about the National Park at the Visitor Center, and hiking the short 0.6 mile Ladder Creek Falls trail through gardens and forest to a cascading waterfall.
Continue to Diablo Lake, where you can have lunch and maybe a swim if it is hot enough. The lake is a beautiful bright turquoise color. I visited the lake by driving over Diablo Dam and parking near the Diablo Lake trailhead. From there, you can wander down to a peaceful rocky beach. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic.
Drive back over the dam and continue a short while to the Thunder Knob trailhead – a beautiful 4-mile trail through the forest that will reward you with gorgeous views over Diablo Lake.
Next you will be stopping at the Diablo Lake Vista Point, where you can soak up the beauty of the lake one last time.
Carry on to the historic Western town of Winthrop, the eastern gateway to North Cascades National Park, where you will be spending the next two nights.
The town leaned into its Wild West history in the 1970s when the North Cascades Highway was completed, and it was remade into a Wild West-themed town. I think it’s been quite tastefully done with timbered buildings and a wooden boardwalk along the attractive main street.
There is a tight-knit community here and it is popular with outdoorsy types. Take a look around town, grab a beer at the Old School House Brewery, and dinner at East 20 Pizza, a short walk from town.
Where To Stay: Stay at refined Mt Gardner Inn or cozy River Run Inn in Winthrop.
Day 6: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and Winthrop
You have a choice of beautiful hikes today, some are short and some are long, so see how you feel. Stop in the tiny town of Mazama on the way to have breakfast and grab food for a picnic lunch at The Mazama Store, an iconic local spot that has high-end groceries, a cafe with a sunny patio, and the best sourdough baguette I have ever tasted.
My favorite hikes close to Winthrop in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest are:
Blue Lake – This 5-mile trail is relatively easy with a little under 1000 feet elevation gain and will take you through the forest to gorgeous Blue Lake, where you can swim in summer and see beautiful golden larches in autumn.
Maple Pass Loop – A classic Washington hike with stunning views, the 8-mile Maple Pass Loop has lots of huckleberries and blueberries along the trail, wildlflowers in summer, and stunning autumn colors in late September/October. There is 2,000 feet of elevation gain so it is a more challenging trail than Blue Lake.
Easy Pass – More off the beaten path than the first two on the list, the 7.5 mile Easy Pass trail is challenging with nearly 3000 feet of elevation gain, but the wildflower meadows, stunning mountain views, and endless wild huckleberries make it worth it.
Cutthroat Lake and Pass – One of the best larch hikes in Washington, I highly recommend doing the 13-mile Cutthroat Lake and Cutthroat Pass trail which will take you to picturesque Cutthroat Lake before continuing up to the pass which has epic views and lots of golden larches in the first half of October.
Back in Winthrop, have dinner at Meza, an intimate Mediterranean restaurant right in town. After dinner, I recommend catching a movie at the independent Barnyard Cinema if you can.
There is a bar, comfortable armchairs, and before the screen comes down for the movie, you will be staring out a large picture window at some beautiful mountains.
Where To Stay: Stay at refined Mt Gardner Inn or cozy River Run Inn in Winthrop.
Day 7: Leavenworth
Take one last look around Winthrop and grab a coffee and breakfast from Jupiter Cafe or The Little Dipper Cafe before hitting the road for the two-hour drive to Leavenworth – another theme town.
Leavenworth has been modeled after a Bavarian Village and like Winthrop, I think it has been tastefully done. The setting of the town is absolutely gorgeous, surrounded by mountains and forest with a clear green river running through it.
There are so many fun things to do in Leavenworth and as you are doing a big hike tomorrow, I recommend exploring the town today. Walk the main street and check out the shops, grab a beer at Icicle Brewing Company, get authentic gingerbread at The Gingerbread Factory, walk the peaceful trails along the river and over to Blackbird Island, and swim at one of the beaches along the river if you dare – it’s cold but so refreshing.
If you want some adventure, tubing on the Wenatchee River is my favorite thing to do in Leavenworth – the water is so clear and the scenery is incredible, and the alpine coaster is also very fun although if you are visiting during the weekend, it does get very busy.
There are some great restaurants here and I recommend eating on the patio overlooking the river at Yodelin, which offers bone broth soups, bowls, burgers and salads.
For dinner, my favorite restaurant is Andreas Keller, a German restaurant that has the best schnitzel, spaetzle and gluhwein. They often have an accordion player entertaining guests as well.
Where To Stay: Stay at the Bavarian Lodge with a beautiful outdoor pool and excellent breakfast, or splurge for a luxury stay at the Enzian Inn.
Day 8: Leavenworth
You have the whole day to enjoy Leavenworth today so it is a choose your own adventure day!
My number one recommendation would be to start early and hike to Colchuck Lake in the Enchantments, a region within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It’s home to some of the most beautiful alpine scenery in the U.S.
There is a multi-day backpacking trip you can do to go deep into the Enchantments but it is very hard to get a permit (I am still trying) so doing a day hike to pristine Colchuck Lake will give you a little taste of the beauty here without having to stay overnight or get a permit.
The hike is around 9 miles out and back with 2300 feet of elevation gain so it’s a great workout with lots of beautiful forest and mountain scenery. Swim in the stunning turquoise Colchuck Lake if you are brave enough.
After grabbing a late lunch in town at Leavenworth Sausage Garten or München Haus, you have a few choices for your afternoon. If you are craving more adventure, either go tubing on the Wenatchee River if you haven’t yet, or take a couple of runs on the outrageously fun alpine coaster.
If you are feeling more like a relaxing afternoon after your hike, spend the afternoon at The Springs, a beautiful spa with hot pools, a cold plunge, and a sauna.
For a real treat, go for dinner at Mana, a cozy space that offers tasting menus of organic, seasonal and foraged ingredients with wine pairings. Make sure to make a reservation in advance. Alternatively, head to Larch for handcrafted pasta and cocktails.
Where To Stay: Stay at the Bavarian Lodge with a beautiful outdoor pool and excellent breakfast, or splurge for a luxury stay at the Enzian Inn.
Day 9: Mount Rainier National Park
You can’t see the best of Washington without visiting its iconic volcano and National Park – Mount Rainier. This is one of my favorite places in Washington and it really is an incredibly beautiful alpine paradise.
You can only access everything in the park from around mid-July but there are some trails you can still do if you visit earlier in the summer.
Today you will be spending time in the Sunrise section of the park. It is around a 3.5 hour drive from Leavenworth so I would recommend another early start so you can arrive with time to do a short hike or two. Grab some bakery goodies or groceries to make a packed lunch today.
One hike that is easy with big payoffs is the Naches Peak Loop trail. It is located on the way to Sunrise and is only 3.5 miles but it offers spectacular mountain views, wildflowers, waterfalls, and alpine lakes.
Once you are in Sunrise, you will hopefully have time for one more hike. My number one recommendation is the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail via the Sourdough Ridge Trail. This 5.8 mile trail has more spectacular mountain views and takes you to a historic fire lookout.
The views of Mount Rainier are some of the best in the park and there are lots of wildflowers in summer. You have a good chance of seeing mountain goats and marmots too.
If you only have the energy to do something shorter, the Dege Peak trail is lovely and it’s only 3-miles out and back and you still get really great mountain views and wildflowers.
Have dinner at the Alpine Inn at Crystal Mountain, which serves gourmet pasta, seafood, and steak.
Where To Stay: Stay at inviting Alta Crystal Resort or Crystal Mountain Resort, an alpine ski lodge.
Day 10: Mount Rainier National Park
Day Two in Mount Rainier will take you to the other main section of the park: Paradise. And paradise it is.
Make sure to visit the Visitor Center and the Longmire Historic District where you can see some of the historic buildings from when the park was established.
For hiking, I recommend doing the Skyline Trail, the most iconic of the park, with incredible views, the impressive Myrtle Falls, colorful wildflowers, and lots and lots of marmots. The trail is 5.7 miles long with nearly 1800 feet of elevation gain.
Have a packed lunch in the park and then do the shorter 2.3 mile hike, the Bench and Snow Lakes trail. This is an easy hike through subalpine meadows to two pretty lakes.
Leave the park and spend the night in the nearby town of Ashford, a tiny gateway town to the park. Eat dinner at the cozy Ukrainian Cuisine Restaurant, which offers delicious Ukrainian dishes.
Where To Stay: Stay in Ashford at Paradise Village in a cozy cabin, or at homey Alexander’s Lodge.
Day 11: Poulsbo and Port Townsend
Drive to the picture-perfect seaside town of Poulsbo in the morning for a couple of hours of exploring. Poulsbo bills itself as ‘Little Norway’, and they definitely lean into their Nordic heritage with Norwegian flags and Scandinavian architecture everywhere you look.
It is a pretty little town with colorful flower boxes, tasteful souvenir shops and boutiques, and well-kept historic shop fronts.
Make sure to explore and shop at the independent stores along Front Street, learn about local heritage at Poulsbo Heritage Museum (I LOVE a quirky small town museum), walk along the waterfront and along the boardwalk in Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park, and have lunch at one of the excellent restaurants in town – I loved Sogno di Vino, an Italian restaurant with excellent pasta.
From Poulsbo, continue on to another beautiful seaside town: Port Townsend. Port Townsend is a well-preserved Victorian town that is one of the most beautiful towns in all of Washington. Make sure to explore the independent shops and eat at one of the restaurants for dinner – Khu Larb and Fountain Cafe are both really good.
If you get there early enough, explore the WWII-era bunkers and hiking trails of Fort Warden Historical State Park, and if you are visiting during the weekend, take a free tour of Point Wilson Lighthouse.
Where To Stay: Stay in Port Townsend at the historic Palace Hotel, or nautical-inspired The Swan Hotel with sea and mountain views.
Day 12: Olympic National Park
Fuel up with breakfast at Blue Moose Cafe in Port Townsend then drive to the Hurricane Hill trailhead in Olympic National Park, nearly a two-hour drive away. Grab some food for a lunch picnic on your way out of town at Pane d’Amore which offers artisan bread and pastries.
The Hurricane Hill Trail is one of the most popular in the park and offers 360° views over the surrounding mountains, Puget Sound, and the San Juan Islands. It is 3.5 miles out and back with 800 feet elevation gain for the first half of the hike. Enjoy lunch at the top while you enjoy the awesome views.
Next up is Lake Crescent, a deep blue lake ringed by forest. This beautiful lake is the perfect place to cool off. Relax at East Beach where you can swim off the rocky shore and enjoy the tranquil scenery. If you still have energy and want to do another hike, do the 1.8-mile Marymere Falls trail to a beautiful waterfall through a mossy forest.
Where To Stay: Stay at historic Lake Crescent Lodge, right on the lake. There are lodge rooms, cottages and cabins to stay in, a restaurant, and a peaceful beach.
Day 13: Olympic National Park and Peninsula
After breakfast at the lodge, head back out into the forest to do my favorite hike in the National Park: Mount Storm King.
This trail is short at 4.4 miles but it is steep with a section at the end where you are pulling yourself up the rocks using ropes – it’s definitely not for the faint of heart but it is very rewarding. The view from the top is out over the lake and surrounding mountains and it is just breathtakingly beautiful.
If you didn’t do the Marymere Falls hike yesterday, add it on now as it connects to the Mount Storm King trail.
Next you will be driving to the northwesternmost point of the lower 48 states – Cape Flattery. Grab lunch on the way in the tranquil town of Neah Bay at one of the coastal seafood restaurants there like Calvin’s Crabhouse and Bigginz Burgers and Seafood.
You can also pick up your Makah Recreation Permit in Neah Bay. You will need this to visit Cape Flattery as it is on the Makah Reservation. It costs $20 and is valid for a year.
It is an easy 1.5-mile trail to visit Cape Flattery, ending in viewpoints over the rocky inlets and small islands dotting the coastline and out to the thrashing Pacific Ocean. It is a wildly beautiful place and you can feel the power of nature here.
The last stop of the day will be the town of Forks, known for Twilight fame. Grab dinner at The Longhouse Cafe for delicious native food including fry bread tacos.
Where To Stay: Stay in Forks at The Bogi Bear Inn, a characterful tiny home, or refined Misty Valley Inn.
Day 14: Olympic National Park and Peninsula
The last day of your Washington Road Trip will see you visiting some more incredible places on the Olympic Peninsula including a temperate rainforest, a rugged beach, and a peaceful lake.
Start the day as early as you can as your first stop is the Hoh Rainforest and there are often long lines to get in as it is a popular spot.
This ethereal temperate rainforest is full of towering old-growth trees covered in moss and lichen. You can best experience the rainforest by combining two short hikes – the Hall of Mosses and the Spruce Nature Trail. Combined, it is just over two-miles of easy hiking.
From the Hoh Rainforest, drive to Ruby Beach, one of the atmospheric beaches along the wild coastline. You have a great view over the beach from the parking lot so take some pictures here before walking down the trail to the beach.
There are tide pools with tiny sea creatures and anemones, small rocky islets just offshore, and lots of driftwood. It is an interesting and beautiful beach to explore no matter the weather.
Your last stop of the day will be at lovely Lake Quinault. I highly recommend doing the four-mile Quinault loop trail which will take you along the pretty lakeshore and through the Quinault Rainforest, another less crowded temperate rainforest with small waterfalls and mossy trees.
If it is a hot day, swim in the clear waters of the lake from the beach in front of the Lake Quinault Resort and relax on the sand with a good book.
Depending on what your travel plans are, you could drive the three hours back to Seattle, or if you have more time, I suggest staying at the grand Lake Quinault Resort, a rustic but luxurious 100-year-old lodge with an onsite restaurant and indoor pool.
Where To Stay: If you are staying the night near Lake Quinault, then definitely stay at the Lake Quinault Resort. If you are heading back to Seattle for an early flight the next morning, near the airport stay at peaceful Cedarbrook Lodge.
And that’s a wrap on your Washington Road Trip! I hope you will come away loving this special state as much as I do.
Bonus Washington Road Trip Stops
Other places that I absolutely love in Washington that you should consider adding to your itinerary if you have more time, or if you want to substitute with places in my Washington Road Trip itinerary.
Bellingham – Cool Bellingham is an outdoorsy city 90-minutes north of Seattle that is surrounded by temperate rainforest, peaceful lakes, and rugged shoreline. The area offers all sorts of adventure activities, including excellent mountain biking and hiking. Don’t miss Whatcom Falls and Fairhaven Historic District.
Mount Baker/Koma Kulshan Area – Located up near the Canadian Border, Mount Baker (Koma Kulshan) is a stratovolcano with some of the best hiking trails in the state (and skiing in winter). Hike the Chain of Lakes Loop or Ptarmigan Ridge for the best mountain scenery – especially in fall. Soak in natural Baker Hot Springs. Hike to Park Butte fire lookout and stay overnight.
Snoqualmie Pass – Another excellent place for hiking, I often stop at Snoqualmie Pass to do a hike when I am driving between Seattle and the Gorge. Two of my favorites are the Annette Lake trail and the Lodge Lake trail.
North Bend – North Bend is a cute small town in the Cascade Mountains that offers some excellent hikes including Mount Si and popular Rattlesnake Ledge. Rattlesnake Lake is perfect for taking a dip and make sure to get some pie from Twede’s Cafe, which was used in the filming of the 1980s TV Show Twin Peaks.
Snoqualmie – Snoqualmie is another cute small town and is home to powerful Snoqualmie Falls, a popular waterfall with walking trails.
Gorge Amphitheatre – If you love live music then you should definitely try to time your Washington Road Trip so you can attend a show at the Gorge. It is one of the most beautiful amphitheatres in the world and my summer home for the past five years.
Stehekin – A small and remote community in North Cascades National Park that can only be reached by taking a boat across Lake Chelan. Visit for peace and quiet, hiking, and other adventure activities.
Issaquah – Only a 30-minute drive from Seattle, the small city of Issaquah has a lovely downtown, picturesque Sammamish Lake where you can swim and kayak, and even its own troll. Eat at WildFin American Grill for incredible seafood.
Granite Falls – Close to Seattle and with some great hiking including the Mount Pilchuck trail to a historic fire lookout, Lake Twenty-Two to a pretty alpine lake, and the Big Four Ice Caves area with tons of waterfalls, a turquoise river, and some really cool ice caves.
If you liked this post, you should check out some of my other US content:
- 13 Best Things To Do Near The Gorge Amphitheatre Before the Show Starts
- 8 Best West Coast National Parks To Escape the Crowds
- How To Spend 3 Days in Portland, Oregon: A Detailed Travel Guide
- 7 Must-Visit Small Towns in Arizona That I Personally Love
- Fun Things To Do in Tubac, A Remote Art Village in Southern Arizona
- How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Denver
- Top Things To Do in the South Bay of Los Angeles
- The Best Things To Do in Telluride in Summer and Fall
- The Best Things To Do in Boston in 2 Days
- The Best Small Towns in Massachusetts
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